Tag Archives: Alpharetta Realtor

Navigate multiple offers with ease

Friday, 29 July 2016 10:25
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shutterstock_142213210-ae5bd4There’s nothing like the feeling you get when, after touring what seems like—or might actually be—dozens and dozens of houses, you finally find the one.  The minute you enter, you can see your life playing out within its walls and try as you might, you cannot squelch the array of possible paint colors floating through your head.  It has to be yours.  You’re certain it will be…

…until you discover that nine other bidders are waiting in line.

How did that happen?  You’re angry and anxious, especially since you know that you’re attempting to buy in a seller’s market.  After the housing collapse several years ago, it might seem strange to see buyers without the upper hand; however, with less inventory currently on the market, it’s not unusual for sellers to receive upwards of 15-20 offers on a home.

Therefore, if you find yourself in this type of situation, whether you think you stand a chance or not, it’s always a good idea to write an offer anyway.  To help you along, here are a few tips to put you in the best possible position:

DON’T UNDERESTIMATE EXPERIENCE.  You wouldn’t go to court with an inexperienced, novice attorney, so why would you bet your financial livelihood on an inexperienced real estate agent?  When it comes to navigating a multiple-offer situation, hiring the services of a seasoned Realtor—who is not only familiar with the process, but has a track record of successful closings—is one of the most important steps you can take.

GET PREAPPROVAL.  Generally speaking, each offer will undoubtedly be accompanied by a prequalification letter from a lender; however, you can appear to be the strongest buyer by entering negotiations with a loan preapproval letter.

PUT YOUR BEST OFFER FORWARD.  Instead of expecting negotiation, write your best offer and make it attractive.  In an effort to determine pricing, a solid Realtor will be able to give you a comparative market analysis, which is important since many sellers intentionally set low prices in an effort to generate multiple offers.  Just because you’re paying above their asking price, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re paying more than the market value.

UNCOVER WHAT’S IMPORTANT.  All sellers have certain wants that will help you land in their good graces.  Whether it’s a fast closing or a longer than normal escrow period, ask your Realtor to find out what those hot buttons are and work hard to make them a reality.

DON’T GET HUNG UP ON CONTINGENCIES.  While it’s essential to get a home inspection before you close on a property, there’s nothing wrong with tightening the time period a bit.  When it comes to contingencies you have the power to speed things along, so if your loan is solid, don’t be afraid to waive the loan approval contingency.

MAKE IT PERSONAL.  In some instances, it may even be helpful accompany your offer with a handwritten letter that will explain to the seller why their home is perfect for you and your family.  Making things personal will not only help you stand out, but it will take you from being just another offer to being a real person.

In the end, multiple offer situations can be challenging, especially if you’ve found yourself on the losing end of a similar circumstance in the past.  To make yourself the best possible candidate, straighten your affairs and hire a practiced Realtor who can walk you through the process.

To learn more or to see how I can help you, please feel free to contact me.  I’m a proven Realtor who is great in multiple offer situations—and I’d love to hear from you!

Marie Dinsmore
The Dinsmore Team
www.DinsmoreTeam.com
770-712-7789

How to Navigate a Multiple-Offer Situation

Monday, 15 February 2016 23:11
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shutterstock_142213210-ae5bd4There’s nothing like the feeling you get when, after touring what seems like—or might actually be—dozens and dozens of houses, you finally find the one.  The minute you enter, you can see your life playing out within its walls and try as you might, you cannot squelch the array of possible paint colors floating through your head.  It has to be yours.  You’re certain it will be…

…until you discover that nine other bidders are waiting in line.

How did that happen?  You’re angry and anxious, especially since you know that you’re attempting to buy in a seller’s market.  After the housing collapse several years ago, it might seem strange to see buyers without the upper hand; however, with less inventory currently on the market, it’s not unusual for sellers to receive upwards of 15-20 offers on a home.

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Tips for Purchasing a Luxury Home

Tuesday, 09 February 2016 23:00
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khIf you’ve worked hard for years in an effort to accrue a certain income level, at some point, you’re likely to want to invest your hard-earned money into a home that you and your family can truly enjoy.  Whether it’s a modern high-rise condo or a sprawling golf course estate, there are a few items that should be considered before purchasing a luxury home.

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Top Questions to Ask Your Realtor

Thursday, 07 January 2016 17:48
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Couple meeting with financial advisor.Oftentimes, a home-selling strategy is only as good as the Realtor working to develop it; however, it’s not uncommon to find sellers who have gotten so lost in the process of cleaning, painting, and prepping their home that they forget to ask some of the most important questions.

While your overall strategy and list price may vary depending upon the season and other variables indicative of the current real estate climate, as you get closer to finalizing your listing, it’s important to ask your agent the following questions.

What is the most I can ask for my home based upon the current market? 

Location obviously plays a huge role in how much you can ask for your home, especially since it’s clearly something that cannot be changed.  With that, unless you plan on undergoing a full-scale remodel before you list, chances are good that your number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and square footage will remain relatively static.  With that being said, it’s important to make a point to discuss a proper listing price with your Realtor and to trust that, given the current market, they will do what’s best.

Based upon the current market and my asking price, when can I expect to field a serious offer?

Clearly, your Realtor cannot see the future, but it’s worth asking for their opinion on how long they think you’ll have to wait for a buyer.  If you’re looking to list your home at the top end of your asking range, you may have to wait longer, so it’s good to understand this dynamic in advance.

What is your strategy regarding open houses?

Just like all markets are different, all Realtors are different, as well.  While some agents refrain from staging open houses in favor of viewings, others feel that open houses are a great way to get your home seen by a lot of potential buyers.

Before assuming that your buyer will conduct business in a certain way, make a point to ask them how they develop their strategy and why they choose to do it that way.

In the end, as with most things in life, communication is key.  If you have questions, it’s important to speak up!  The Realtor/client relationship is just that—a relationship—and most of us understand that healthy, successful relationships are dependent upon open and honest dialogue.

A Realtor’s job is to serve the client, so it’s important to make sure that the handling of your home is done in a way that aligns with your interests.  If you’d like to learn more or would simply like a bit of advice, I’m always available to help.

Marie Dinsmore | The Dinsmore Team | www.DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789

Smart Ways to Reduce Expenses After Purchasing a Home

Friday, 04 December 2015 11:42
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o-OLDER-WOMAN-TALKING-ON-PHONE-facebookWhen it comes to purchasing a home, while you may have been vigilant about budgeting in an effort to make sure that your new property would be affordable on a long-term basis, it’s no secret that the actual act of moving can cost a bit of money.  From movers to interior adjustments such as window treatments and paint, your wallet may take a hit for a few months.  However, while reducing your expenses in the beginning is important, there’s something to be said for fresh starts and cutting costs for an extended period of time.

Therefore, if you’re looking to start fresh with your move, consider the following tips to save money over the long-run.

AVOID THE LANDLINE: Sure, there is some benefit to installing a landline in your home; however, if you currently have one, when was the last time you really used it?  The number of people who are connected to landlines has rapidly fallen over the last few years, which makes sense since most of us have very little need or desire to pay for two phone lines.  Chances are pretty good that your cell phone lives within a 10-foot radius from you at all times, so skip the landline and spare yourself the expense.

SWITCH LIGHT BULBS: While incandescent lightbulbs may appear to be the cheaper option at the checkout, it’s important to realize that CFL or LED lightbulbs are up to four-times as energy efficient, turning a total home switch into a real money saver.

CONSIDER A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT: Most new homes are going come with thermostats that allow you to determine the automatic heating and cooling of your home for all hours of the day, which is great news if you work long hours.  If you find yourself purchasing a home that does not have this option, it may be worth your money.  Plain and simple, if you can turn your thermostat down by 10 degrees while you’re at work for eight hours, you can save anywhere from 5 to 15% on your heating bill—and the same goes for your air conditioning bill in the summer.

UNPLUG UNUSED DEVICES: While you may think you’re saving money by keeping unused devices turned off, the reality is that—whether on or off—if those devices are plugged in, they are still using electricity.  While the amount of electricity actually used is relatively small, when you multiply it by the number of plugged, but turned off, appliances in your home, it adds up.

Clearly, it’s not practical to unplug everything in your home when it’s not being used; however, you may want to consider keeping lesser-used items like the blender or pencil sharpener off the grid.

EAT IN YOUR NEW KITCHEN: While this may sound a bit silly, a large number of people find themselves eating out more than making food at home, which can place unnecessary strain on the wallet.  Even if you’re not much of a chef, what’s the point of having a beautiful, new kitchen if you don’t use it?  Bring a bit of savings into your life by skipping the takeout and packing a lunch or making dinner in the evening.  Aside from being healthier, your bottom line will thank you.

BUNDLE YOUR INSURANCE: If you’ve ever shopped for car insurance, you’ve probably been peppered with options about purchasing homeowners or renters insurance during the process.  While irritating if you’re not in the market for other services, as a new homeowner, bundling your policies can actually be a great thing.  Many insurance companies offer a sizeable discount if you combine your homeowner’s policy with your auto insurance policies, so if you’re currently using separate companies, you may want to look into making a switch.

For other tips, tricks, and ideas for saving money before, during, or after your move, feel free to contact me.  I’d love to hear from you.

Marie Dinsmore | The Dinsmore Team | www.DinsmoreTeam.com | 770-712-7789